North Carolina EMT State Practice Exam

During neonatal resuscitation, what is the recommended action to stimulate breathing?

1. Administer oxygen

2. Tap gently on the back

3. Use suction

4. Stimulate to cry

The correct answer is: Stimulate to cry

The recommended action to stimulate breathing during neonatal resuscitation is to stimulate the infant to cry. This approach is crucial because crying is a natural response that indicates the onset of effective respiratory function. Gentle stimulation, such as rubbing the back or tapping the soles of the feet, can help encourage the infant to take their first breaths. When an infant is not breathing adequately at birth, stimulating them in this manner promotes the initiation of respiration and can help with the establishment of normal oxygenation. This is particularly important in the immediate post-birth period when the newborn is transitioning from a fluid-filled environment to breathing air. While administering oxygen, suctioning, or tapping on the back can be part of the overall resuscitation process, they are secondary steps that may be employed depending on the specific situation and the infant's condition. However, the primary emphasis during this initial stage is on stimulation to encourage crying and effective breathing.